Greg Inglis can be ‘another level’ at Warrington as he prepares for his debut
GREG Inglis has already showed he is at another level, without even playing a Super League match.
The Australian legend will make his Warrington debut on Saturday against Hull KR after coming out of retirement.
And just showing what he can do on the training field as he gets back up to speed has convinced the Wolves he can be the real deal.
“I just watch him,” said Warrington assistant coach Andrew Henderson. “You watch how he moves and how he can still beat a man – sometimes it just looks effortless.
“To be in Super League, you’ve got to be a really good player but these special players are another level. I’ve seen glimpses of that and gone, ‘Wow, that’s why he is Greg Inglis.’
“He’s also brought some good things to the training environment, some of the mentorship to younger players and some of his standards too.
“We’ve had a development plan in place for him, mindful of the fact he’s had two years without playing.
“We could’ve pushed him a bit quicker but we had to make sure we’ve done everything right to make sure he has the best chance of playing and playing as many games as possible.
“There have been cries of, ‘Is he not playing yet? He’s fully fit surely.’ We could’ve thrown him out a couple of weeks earlier but do that and he breaks down, he’s missing for another four or five weeks.
“That stuttering start wouldn’t be as productive for us as we’d like. We’ve had to be patient and make sure he ticks all the boxes.
“He wants to play but we’ve had to hold him back a bit to make sure he’s really ready to go. He’s added value to the organisation and the team since he’s been here.”
Inglis, 34, has not played since hanging up his boots in April 2019 for reasons that were not physical.
But a conversation with pal and Warrington star Jason Clark led to the shock switch.
And Henderson believes the Test and State of Origin icon – who scored 31 tries in 39 caps, won a World Cup and 10 State of Origin crowns with Queensland - can line up for the Combined Nations All Stars against England on June 26.
The side will be made up of Super League’s best non-English talent and the team’s number two added: “Greg would add to that, absolutely.
“But he just needs to get back playing first and earn the right to be in the team. There’s no point bringing in someone who doesn’t want to be there either.”
